Peace and love to all.

Merry Christmas!

I just finished the first round of edits on the new novel I am writing with my co-author. She's reading the last few chapters now. I'm a little nervous since I changed the ending a little from how she had originally written it. But my gut tells me it's good. Here's hoping she thinks so, too.
Then, a couple more rounds of rewrites and we hope to have it in the hands of an agent by the first of the year.
Then, on to the next book.
There's always a next book.

Rumor has it that the Kindle version of Second Chance is up and running on Amazon.
Print version is almost ready to go.
I also have a sale posted on my web site to sell the old stock with the first cover.

Second Chance was recently named Book of the Quarter by Wizards of Words!

Great news for my novel Second Chance! It has been picked up by a small press in Maine called All Things That Matter Press.
I am no longer a self-published author. I never made a big deal out of being self-published but it has been something that has disturbed me, truth be known.
Many venues won't book self-published authors and let's face it, some of the self-pubbed stuff is pretty bad, which reinforces the stigma.
I still believe in it and I am grateful for what iUniverse has afforded me.
But now it's on to the second phase for Second Chance.
In honor of the occasion, we have redone the cover slightly.

All the editing has been done and I am awaiting word on publication.
Stay tuned.

I went to a wonderful meeting yesterday. I attended the first open meeting of the Phoenix chapter of Wizards of Words [WOW http://www.wizardsofwords.org/] held at the Octagon Cafe in Fountain Hills AZ. We were a small but dynamic group and our speaker was fantastic. Jerry Simmons from WritersReaders.com and Nothing Binding.com [http://www.writersreaders.com/about.php] talked for almost 1.5 hours about the publishing industry today. If we had had the time we would have kept him there longer. It's obvious that things are changing rapidly and any writer today worth his/her salt must know how to play the game.
Still being with other writers and talking about our various projects left me with a feeling that, all the more, I know I want to be a part of this crazy writing business. When writing is in your blood, you just have to write. That's all there is to it. It's write or wither and only half-live.

I am so excited about this year. My second novel is coming along. After deciding that my heroine was too young and that was why I was having trouble writing about her, I aged her about ten years. That did the trick. Now, the plot is flowing and I think the book will move forward again.

Second Chance continues to get great reviews.
http://www.thebookstacks.com/joy-collins-second-chance-book-review/

http://wryterreviews.blogspot.com/2008/06/second-chance.html

And a serendipitous thing has happened. A wonderful woman I met online has not only turned into a good friend but we have decided to collaborate on a novel together. The plot is fun and I believe will be quite entertaining. Our goal is to have it done by the end of the year.

Okay, here's the thing. I belong to several listservs and I am on many mailing lists - all in the quest for the next market. You never know when the next opportunity will present itself.
So, I checked my e-mail earlier this week and lo and behold, an opportunity.
A local newspaper that publishes every couple of months announced that it is changing its focus and will be concentrating on health, diet, nutrition, and fitness and welcomed contributions from authors specializing in health and medical-related fields.
Fantastic! Or so I thought [you know this isn't going to end well, right?].
So, I dashed off a response showcasing my experience and asking for more information.
And, oh, by the way, what did they pay per article?
The response came back quickly with more information as well as the little tidbit "we do not pay for articles".
You're kidding me, right? You want me to research and write articles that you are going to use to sell your paper and you are not going to pay me?
I quickly hit the delete button but I fumed. I toyed with sending a terse reply but after thinking about it, I doubt it will make a difference.
The only way to fight that mentality is to refuse to deal with it. And other writers need to join me.
Why is it considered to be okay to not pay a writer for their services? What other industry considers that to be an acceptable norm?
Would you ask your surgeon to operate for free? Your plumber? Heaven forbid, your politician?
I know there are writers hungry for a byline to give them credibility and I have to admit, I have written the free article in my day but no more. I know now I did a disservice to my fellow writers by doing that.
No, from now on, I write, I get paid. I deliver a valued product and I expect value in return. If you don't like my work, reject it or even pay a kill fee. But do not say "We don't pay for articles".
Because I will hit delete every time.

Amazing.
Amazon has given an ultimatum to small publishers. These are the publishing companies that use print on demand - called POD in the industry - to print their books. They are small independent presses or those companies that are labeled as publishers allowing authors to self-publish [my book falls into this targeted group].The reason these POD companies are attractive [and are probably the wave of the future] is that they allow a company to offer books without having to stockpile an inventory. The book is ordered; it's printed; it's shipped. The quality is the same as a book on a Barnes and Noble brick and mortar shelf. The advantage is the small company is able to make a living without a warehouse. Many of them do not publish themselves anyway. They have subcontracted this job out to companies that they have investigated and met their requirements. The deal they offer to their authors is that their book is for sale just like any other book in places like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com, etc.
Enter Amazon. They now have their own printing/publishing company called BookSurge. They have now gone to all the small presses and told them "Use our printer or we will not sell your book." Period. No negotiation. End of story. Refuse and the "Buy book" icon goes away.
Is this a good idea? Will companies go out of business? Will Amazon succeed?
Only time will tell.

My first book fair -

Well, the day was beautiful and the turnout was pretty good. But I didn't sell a single book. Not that I wouldn't try again.

It was still a good day.

People were in the mood to wander and gab, listen to the speakers and purchase books from people they know [like Joe Garagiola and Diane Gabaldon]. I got to meet some interesting folks. Two really cool things - there was a young German shephard wandering around, obviously lost and without a collar. I helped corral him and another woman took him home to care for him until his owner can be found. We didn't want him to get run over which would have happened at the rate he was going.

And I got to meet Joe Garagiola! I bought his book to give to my Dad [he's a big Yankee fan] and I got Joe to sign it to him. John took my picture with Joe.

Two great book reviews of Second Chance were posted this week:
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/view...AuthorID=74479 [click on Reviews and then scroll down a bit]
http://www.bloggernews.net/113550

AND
I was booked for a book signing in Victor Colorado for this September.
What a week!
My first book signing will be on March 8 in Fountain Hills at their Book Fair.

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. The busy-ness of the Holidays gave way to the fast pace of the New Year and here it is almost the end of February already.
Book sales have been good, I had an interview in my local paper and I'm scheduled for my first book signing in a few weeks.
The fun of writing has been eclipsed by the fun and excitement of marketing. What I at first dreaded has now become a new and growing experience.
I am meeting people who are leading me to more people and all are wonderful to know.